FOXBORO — Rookie wide receiver Javon Baker was an early training camp standout for the Patriots, but he’s still waiting his turn to make an impact during the regular season.
Appearing in just two games, Baker has played six offensive snaps and has yet to be targeted through the first seven weeks of the season.
“I’ve just been waiting patiently, waiting my turn,” Baker said in the locker room this week. “When the opportunity comes, I’ll make the most of most of the opportunity.”
Baker missed practice on Friday with an illness and then was inactive for Sunday’s game in London against the Jaguars.
“He’s been doing good on scout team. That’s what he can control,” wide receiver Kendrick Bourne said this week. “So he can’t control playing. He has to go practice well. He has to do things well, so he gets the coaches trust and stuff like that. So he’s been doing a good job of just doing what he could control. And that’s what I encourage him. Just keep focusing on what’s in front of you. And that’s where he’s at, like helping the starters get better. And one day you’ll find yourself playing.”
But wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk is in concussion protocol, so either Baker or Tyquan Thornton will likely be active in his place this week against the Jets to serve as depth behind Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte and K.J. Osborn.
Head coach Jerod Mayo explained what Baker has to do to get on the field.
“Just continue to get better and continue to — not only is he going to be a good receiver, but he’s also one of those guys that just loves football,” Mayo said. “He has to continue to improve in special teams as well, but there will be a time when he’s on the field and, he’s a very good — he’ll be a very good player.”
Wide receivers coach Tyler Hughes said Friday that Baker will see the field more and more as the season goes along.
Get to know Baker better off the field in our “new Patriots” Q&A series.
BH: What was your first football memory?
JB: Pop Warner when I was like 11 years old. I scored like six touchdowns in a game.
BH: Top high school football memory?
JB: Top high school football memory, I think it was in playoffs. I think we were playing, I want to say South Cobb or something like that. I had made a one-handed catch for a touchdown.
BH: Top college football memory?
JB: Everybody knows this one. I blew a kiss at Oklahoma on the sideline.
BH: What made UCF so special?
JB: Just the opportunity and Coach (Gus) Malzahn, he recruited me out of high school too, so him just keeping his word.
BH: What made Alabama so special?
JB: Coming out of high school, they recruited me really well. It was just Alabama. Just wanted to get better.
BH: What would you be doing if you weren’t a football player?
JB: I don’t know (laughs). I don’t even know.
BH: Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
JB: I had multiple. Like, my top three was Megatron, Aaron Rodgers and probably Kevin Durant.
BH: Favorite musical artist?
JB: Lil’ Baby.
BH: Who have you been closest with on the team so far?
JB: Kendrick Bourne, really all of the receivers, really. And then Rhamondre (Stevenson) and (Brenden) Schooler.
BH: Who’s the funniest player on the team?
JB: (Laughs) Tyquan Thornton.
BH: We don’t see that side of him, but he’s been named a couple of times.
JB: Yeah, I don’t even know. You just gotta see that side of him.
BH: What’s your favorite thing about the New England region?
JB: Good question. I don’t go out. I don’t do nothing. I guess I’ll say football.
BH: Is there a player across the league that you think is underappreciated or underrated?
JB: (Eagles wide receiver) Devonta Smith is underrated. There’s a lot of guys who are underrated, but he’s the guy at the top.
BH: Do you have a hidden talent?
JB: Skateboarding, but that one’s not hidden. I don’t really know.
BH: Do you skateboard anymore?
JB: Nah.
BH: Do you ever miss it?
JB: Just the adrenaline of it. But nah, I don’t. You get hurt too easy.
